Dogtrot

Full definition of dogtrot

Noun

1. A steady trotting motion similar to that of a dog.
2. (Southern US) A breezeway, open passageway, or open hallway between two sections of a house.
• 2007, Allen George Noble, Traditional Buildings: A Global Survey of Structural Forms and Cultural Functions Chapter , The dogtrot was protected from the rain and, because its front and back were open, the Bernoulli principle provided a cooling effect ...
3. (Southern US) A type of house with an open breezeway or hallway between two sections of a house.
• 2007, Allen George Noble, Traditional Buildings: A Global Survey of Structural Forms and Cultural Functions Chapter , One Appalachian solution to the problem of adding needed living space to an existing small cabin was the dogtrot, sometimes called the dogrun, possum trot, two pens-and-a-passage, double house, or erroneously the double pen.

Verb

1. To move at the pace of a dogtrot
• 1989, Sue Grafton, "E" is for Evidence Chapter , The stewardess released us like a pack of noisy school kids and I dogtrotted toward the gate.

Adjective

1. (Southern US) The design or form of house with an open breezeway or hallway between two sections of a house
• 1977, Charles van Ravenswaay, The Arts and Architecture of German Settlements in Missouri Chapter , If America can claim any significant development in log construction, it might be the dogtrot cabin, … Henry Glassie believes that the dogtrot form developed in the southern Tennessee Valley area ...